Image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes a main body and a sheet container. The main body includes an image forming device to form the image on a sheet. The sheet container is removably installable in the main body, accommodates a stack of sheets, and is movable between a first state that the sheet container is installed in the main body and a second state that the sheet container is removed from a first side surface of the image forming apparatus. The planar member includes a cutout opening in an upper end of the planar member, a lower edge of the opening forms a pull-out handle on the first side surface to assist in removal of the sheet container form the image forming apparatus, and an upper edge of the opening forms a lift-up handle to assist in lifting the image forming apparatus with the sheet container installed therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-000462, filed onJan. 5, 2012, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Examples of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatusin which a sheet container provided therein is removably installable inthe image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimilemachines include a sheet container (e.g., a paper tray) thataccommodates a stack of sheets for printing an image thereon. To reloadthe sheets, a user pulls out the paper tray from the image formingapparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unitfor forming an image on the sheet. For facilitating the sheet reloading,the paper tray has a pull-out handle for pulling the paper tray toremove from the image forming apparatus.

In recent years, image forming apparatuses have become smaller andlighter and thus more portable, and therefore include a lift-up handlemounted on the image forming apparatus for ease of lifting and moving.Accordingly, such image forming apparatuses generally include a pull-outhandle at the sheet container and a lift-up handle at the image formingapparatus.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-069667(JP-2009-069667-A) discloses an image forming apparatus including asheet container that can be withdrawn from the image forming apparatusand is set inside the image forming apparatus when the image formingapparatus is moved, and a positioning means for mutually positioning theimage forming apparatus and the sheet container when the sheet containeris lifted so as to hold the image forming apparatus.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-244673(JP-2009-244673-A) discloses an image forming apparatus including gripsmounted on an intermediate frame that supports both an image formingapparatus and a scanner so as to easily carry the image formingapparatus while securing accurate image reading processing.

The lift-up handle of the image forming apparatus is, however, generallyattached to a side surface of the image forming apparatus perpendicularto a direction of pulling out the sheet container. If this image formingapparatus is installed in a vicinity of the wall of a room such as anoffice room, it is likely that the lift-up handle is located close tothe wall, and therefore the user cannot reach the lift-up handle whenmoving the image forming apparatus.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus may need to be moved to where theuser can place the fingers on the lift-up handle, which takes longertime for carrying the image forming apparatus.

To avoid this inconvenience, if the lift-up handle is formed on the sameside surface where the pull-out handle of the sheet container isarranged, it is likely that the user puts the fingers to the pull-outhandle inadvertently when lifting the image forming apparatus.Consequently, a large load of the image forming apparatus isunexpectedly applied to the pull-out handle, which damages the sheetcontainer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a novel image forming apparatus forforming an image includes a main body including an image forming deviceto form the image on a sheet, and a sheet container disposed removablyinstallable in the main body, configured to accommodate a stack ofsheets of recording media and feed an uppermost sheet of the stack ofsheets of recording media toward the image forming device, and movablebetween a first state, in which the sheet container is installed in themain body of the image forming apparatus, and a second state, in whichthe sheet container is removed from a first side surface of the imageforming apparatus. The sheet container includes a planar member at aproximal end thereof in a pull-out direction, disposed flush with thefirst side surface of the image forming apparatus with the sheetcontainer installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The planar member includes a cutout opening downwardly extending from anupper end of the planar member. A lower edge of the opening forms apull-out handle on the first side surface to assist in removal of thesheet container from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Anupper edge of the opening forms a lift-up handle to assist in liftingthe image forming apparatus with the sheet container installed in themain body of the image forming apparatus.

The above-described image forming apparatus may further include fourside surfaces including the first side surface and a second lift-uphandle provided to one of the four side surfaces, the one surfacedisposed opposite the first side surface.

The above-described image forming apparatus may further include fourside surfaces including the first side surface and a second lift-uphandle provided to one of the four side surfaces adjacent to the firstside surface.

The lift-up handle formed on the first side surface may be located atthe same position as the opening formed in the planar member.

The upper edge of the opening forming the lift-up handle surface may beinwardly recessed toward an interior of the main body of the imageforming apparatus.

The upper edge of the opening forming the lift-up handle formed on thefirst side surface may include a scalloped portion.

The lift-up handle formed on the first side surface and the secondlift-up handle formed on the one of the side surfaces other than thefirst side surface may be disposed at the same height from a bottom ofthe main body of the image forming apparatus.

The opening in the planar member may have a height greater than adistance from a lower end of the sheet container to the bottom of themain body of the image forming apparatus.

The lower edge of the opening forming the pull-out handle of the sheetcontainer may be graspable from above the lower edge.

The sheet container may be removable from the main body of the imageforming apparatus both in the pull-out direction and in a seconddirection perpendicular to the pull-out direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the advantagesthereof will be obtained as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal mechanism ofan image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a mainpart of a sheet container of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus ofFIG. 1, viewed from the sheet container side;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus ofFIG. 1, viewed from an opposite angle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the sheet feedtray of the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a mainpart of a sheet container of an image forming apparatus according toEmbodiment 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 3, viewed from a sheet container side;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus,viewed from an opposite angle of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 4, viewed from a sheet container side; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus,viewed from an opposite angle of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be understood that if an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “against”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element orlayer, then it can be directly on, against, connected or coupled to theother element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, if an element is referred to as being “directlyon”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, then there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers referred to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”,“upper” and the like may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements describes as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, term such as “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors herein interpreted accordingly.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, it shouldbe understood that these elements, components, regions, layer and/orsections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used onlyto distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component,region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, component, region, layer or section without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Descriptions are given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, ofexamples, exemplary embodiments, modification of exemplary embodiments,etc., of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.Elements having the same functions and shapes are denoted by the samereference numerals throughout the specification and redundantdescriptions are omitted. Elements that do not require descriptions maybe omitted from the drawings as a matter of convenience. Referencenumerals of elements extracted from the patent publications are inparentheses so as to be distinguished from those of exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

The present invention is applicable to any image forming apparatus, andis implemented in the most effective manner in an electrophotographicimage forming apparatus.

In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings,specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, thedisclosure of the present invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that eachspecific element includes all technical equivalents that have the samefunction, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferredembodiments of the present invention are described.

Embodiment 1

A description is given of a configuration of an image forming apparatus110 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal mechanism ofthe image forming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 1.

The image forming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 1 is a colorimage forming apparatus employing an image forming mechanism performingan electrophotographic process to form color images using a generalelectrostatic image forming method. However, the present invention isnot limited to this configuration. Further, the image forming mechanismis applicable for black-and-white printing, inkjet printing and soforth.

The image forming apparatus 110 includes an image forming device 3 forforming an image and a sheet feeding device 100 disposed at the lowerportion of the image forming apparatus 110, specifically below the imageforming device 3, and supplies recording media to the image formingdevice 3.

The sheet feeding device 100 includes a sheet container 47, a sheetfeeding unit 4, and a frame 10.

The sheet container 47 accommodates a sheet stack 41 that is a bundle ofmultiple sheets or sheet-like recording media accumulated one afteranother. The sheet feeding unit 4 contacts the sheet stack 41 stored inthe sheet container 47 from above to separate an uppermost sheet fromthe other sheets and feed the uppermost sheet toward the image formingdevice 3. The frame 10 contains the sheet container 47 and the sheetfeeding unit 4.

The sheet feeding unit 4 includes a sheet feeding roller 42 having arotary shaft 75, and a friction pad 43 that serves as a sheet separationmember disposed facing the sheet feed roller 42. As the rotary shaft 75of the sheet feed roller 42 rotates, a sheet placed on top of the sheetstack 41 stored in the sheet container 47 is fed therefrom by the sheetfeeding roller 42 and the separation pad 43. The sheet thus fed from therecording media container 47 is then conveyed by conveying rollers 44and 45 toward a registration roller 81. Then, the leading edge of thesheet abuts against a nip portion formed between the registration roller81 and a registration tension roller 80 to align the leading edge of thesheet.

The registration roller 81 rotates to synchronize with movement of thesheet to align with a transfer position of a toner image and the sheet.

The image forming device 3 includes a transfer belt unit 5 and fourimage forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K. The transfer belt unit 5 isdisposed to extend in a horizontal direction in the image formingapparatus 110. The four image forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K aredisposed horizontally above the transfer belt unit 5 along the upperportion of an endless transfer belt 54 to develop and form an image ineach of the image forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K, which serve asan image carrier.

The elements or components of the image forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and30K are similar in structure and function to each other, except that theimage forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K have different colors oftoner, and therefore are also referred to as the image forming unit 30in a singular form. For example, the image forming unit 30 (i.e., theimage forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K) includes a photoconductordrum 31 (i.e., photoconductor drums 31M, 31C, 31Y, and 31K), and imagecomponents are disposed around an outer circumferential surface of thephotoconductor drum 31. The image components are, for example, acharging roller 32 (i.e., charging rollers 32M, 32C, 32Y, and 32K) foruniformly charging a surface of the photoconductor drum 31, a developingroller 33 (i.e., developing rollers 33M, 33C, 33Y, and 33K) fordeveloping an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of thephotoconductor drum 31K into a visible toner image, a transfer roller 50(i.e., transfer rollers 50M, 50C, 50Y, and 50K) for transferring thetoner image onto a sheet, and a cleaning unit (not illustrated) forcleaning the photoconductor drum 31 after transfer of the toner imageonto the sheet by removing residual toner from the surface of thephotoconductor drum 31.

An optical writing unit 2 that serves as an exposure unit is disposedabove the image forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K. The opticalwriting unit 2 emits a laser light beam to the photoconductor drum 31.

The transfer belt unit 5 includes an endless transfer belt 54, a driveroller 52, and a driven roller 51. The endless transfer belt 54 is thatis spanned over the drive roller 52 and the driven roller 51.

The transfer rollers 50M, 50C, 50Y, and 50K are disposed inside the loopof the endless transfer belt 54, facing the photoconductor drums 31M,31C, 31Y, and 31K, respectively, with an upper moving surface of theendless transfer belt 54 interposed therebetween, so that the transferroller 50 charged with transfer bias can contact the endless transferbelt 54. By proceeding in the transfer belt unit 5, a toner image istransferred onto the sheet. The sheet having the transferred toner imagethereon is conveyed to a fixing unit 6 where the toner image is fixed tothe sheet.

The fixing unit 6 includes a fixing roller 60 and a pressure roller 61.The fixing roller 60 serves as a fixing member to fix the toner image tothe sheet. The pressure roller 61 serves as an opposed member disposedfacing the fixing roller 60 to form a fixing nip portion. The fixingroller 60 encloses a non-illustrated heater that serves as a heatingmember.

The pressure roller 61 contacts the fixing roller 60 with apredetermined pressure to form the fixing nip portion at a contactportion of the fixing roller 60 and the pressure roller 61.

The sheet to which the toner image is fixed in the fixing unit 6 furthertravels via a sheet discharging unit 7 to a sheet discharging portion 1a arranged on top of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 110.The sheet discharging unit 7 includes transfer rollers 72 and 73, andsheet discharging rollers 70 and 71. The sheet discharging portion 1 aincludes a retractable manual sheet tray 9 in the main body 1 of theimage forming apparatus 110.

Next, a description is given of the sheet container 47 of the sheetfeeding device 100.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a mainpart of the sheet container 47 of the image forming apparatus 110according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating theimage forming apparatus 110, viewed from the sheet container 47. FIG. 4is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus 110,viewed from an opposite angle of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematiccross-sectional view illustrating the sheet container 47 of the imageforming apparatus 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the main body 1 of the imageforming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 1 includes a right side11, a left side 12, a distal side 13, and a proximal side 14. The sheetcontainer 47 is disposed on the proximal side 14. Specifically, thesheet container 47 is disposed at the lower part of the image formingapparatus 110 and an opening of the sheet container 47 is provided onthe proximal side 14.

The sheet container 47 is movable between two states, a closed state inwhich the sheet container 47 is retracted inside the main body 1 of theimage forming apparatus 110 and an open state in which the sheetcontainer 47 is pulled out of the proximal side 14 of the main body 1 ofthe image forming apparatus 110. The sheet is fed from the sheetcontainer 47 to the image forming device 3 in the closed state and newsheets can be loaded in the sheet container 47 in the open state.

The sheet container 47 includes a planar front cover 48 disposed at anend portion of the proximal side 14. When the sheet container 47 isretracted inside the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 110, theplanar front cover 48 forms the same flat surface with the proximal side14. Further, the front cover 48 includes an open space 49 that is cutfrom an upper edge 48 a of the front cover 48 and runs downwardly. Aportion formed at the bottom of the open space 49 of the front cover 48is referred to as a pull-out handle 91 in which a user places his/herfingers thereon when pulling the sheet container 47 is defined as apull-out handle 91. A rack 92 that extends in a horizontal direction isformed below the pull-out handle 91.

It is to be noted that the user can use only one finger or hand to pullor push the sheet container 47 out of or into the main body 1 of theimage forming apparatus 110. However, since the user generally uses morethan one finger or both hands for moving the sheet container 47, aplural form “fingers” is used in the description unless otherwise noted.

When pulling out the sheet container 47 from the main body 1 of theimage forming apparatus 110, the user inserts the fingers into the openspace 49 and then places the fingers on the pull-out handle 91 fromabove. The inserted fingers contact an inside surface of the pull-outhandle 91 from above and stops at the rack 92. The user engages thefingers with the pull-out handle 91 and pulls out the sheet container 47in a pull-out direction indicated by arrow “A1” in FIG. 3, which is theopen state of the sheet container 47.

By contrast, when installing the sheet container 47 in the main body 1of the image forming apparatus 110, the user pushes the front cover 48in a direction indicated by arrow “A2”, which is an opposite directionof the pull-out direction “A1” in FIG. 3, so that the sheet container 47can be set in the closed state.

Accordingly, the pull-out handle 91 is used only to pull out the sheetcontainer 47 by placing the fingers to the inside surface of thepull-out handle 91 from above and cannot be used to lift the imageforming apparatus 110.

Further, a lift-up handle 93 is formed on the main body 1 of the imageforming apparatus 110 above the open space 49 to lift up the imageforming apparatus 110. The lift-up handle 93 is a flat surface extendingin the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 110 in the horizontaldirection along the rack 92. Further, the lift-up handle 93 includes aprotruding portion 94 that extends downwardly from a lower end 14 a ofthe proximal side 14 beyond the surface of the lift-up handle 93. Theopen space 49 is located below the protruding portion 94. The protrudingportion 94 avoids the fingers coming off from the lift-up handle 93. Theuser inserts the fingers into the open space 49 and holds the lift-uphandle 93 with the fingers so as to lift up the image forming apparatus110 for moving or transporting.

It is to be noted that the user can use only one finger or hand tolifting up the image forming apparatus 110. However, since the user usesmore than one finger or both hands for moving the image formingapparatus 110, a plural form “fingers” is used in the description.

In the image forming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 1, thepull-out handle 91 and the lift-up handle 93 are disposed on the samesurface of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 110, therebysharing an area required to insert the fingers when the user pulls outthe sheet container 47 or lifts up the image forming apparatus 110 andreducing space of the image forming apparatus 110.

Further, the image forming apparatus 110 includes a distal lift-uphandle 95 arranged on the distal side 13 that is disposed facing theproximal side 14. The distal lift-up handle 95 includes a recessedportion or a portion that is recessed to the main body 1 of the imageforming apparatus 110 on the distal side 13.

When lifting up the image forming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment1, the user inserts the fingers into the open space 49 and then holdsthe distal lift-up handle 95 with the fingers from below. This action iscompletely different from the action for placing the fingers on thepull-out handle 91, and therefore can prevent operation error.Accordingly, provision of the distal lift-up handle 95 can prevent theuser from putting the fingers on the pull-out handle 91 inadvertentlywhen lifting up the image forming apparatus 110, thereby allowing theuser to carry and move the image forming apparatus easily and safely.

Further, due to the distal lift-up handle 95 provided on the distal side13, when transporting the image forming apparatus 110, not only one usercan carry the image forming apparatus 110 alone but also two or moreusers can carry the image forming apparatus 110 by holding the imageforming apparatus 110 from both sides.

Next, a description is given of respective positions and heights of thepull-out handle 91, the lift-up handle 93, and the distal lift-up handle95.

According to Embodiment 1, the image forming apparatus 110 is installedat a position separated from an installation surface G by a height “b”to allow the user to remove the sheet container 47 from the imageforming apparatus 110. In addition, the lift-up handle 93 is located ata position separated from the pull-out handle 91 by a height “a”.

At this time, if the height “b” is greater than the height “a”, it islikely that the user puts the fingers in a gap between the image formingapparatus 110 and the installation surface G separated from each otherby the height “b”, mistaking it for the space for placing the fingers onthe pull-out handle 91. To avoid the above-described mistake, the imageforming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 1 establishes adimensional relation between the height “a” and the height “b” as “a>b”.Further, it is preferable that the height “b” is small enough to preventthe insertion of human fingers.

Further, it is also preferable that a height “ca” from the installationsurface G to the lift-up handle 93 is equal to a height “cb” from theinstallation surface G to an upper surface (i.e., a surface on which thefingers touch) of the distal lift-up handle 95 provided on the distalside 13. With this arrangement, the image forming apparatus 110 can becarried and easily be lifted up horizontally in a same condition inwhich the image forming apparatus 110 stands on the installation surfaceG, thereby maintaining the balance of the image forming apparatus 110easily.

Embodiment 2

Next, a description is given of a configuration of an image formingapparatus 120 according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating a mainpart of the sheet container 47 of the image forming apparatus 120according to Embodiment 2.

The image forming apparatus 120 according to Embodiment 2 has a similarconfiguration to the image forming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment1, and therefore reference numerals assigned to the units and componentscommon to the image forming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 1 areemployed to explain the configuration of the image forming apparatus120. However, there are some exceptions: the image forming apparatus 120according to Embodiment 2 further includes a scalloped portion 96 toprevent the user's fingers from slipping from the distal lift-up handle95, and does not include the protruding portion 94 of the image formingapparatus 110. The scalloped portion 96 is formed on the lift-up handle93, with five protruding portions 96 a protruding outwardly anddownwardly from the surface of the lift-up handle 93 and arranged alonga direction into which the fingers are inserted through the open space49. The scalloped portion 96 is formed in a shape as illustrated in FIG.6. However, the shape of the scalloped portion 96 is not limited theretoand can be formed in a triangular shape or another applicable shape.With the configuration of the image forming apparatus 120 according toEmbodiment 2, the user can lift up the image forming apparatus 120reliably.

Embodiment 3

Next, a description is given of a configuration of an image formingapparatus 130 according to Embodiment 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus130 according to Embodiment 3, viewed from the sheet container 47 side.FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus130, viewed from an opposite angle of FIG. 7.

The image forming apparatus 130 according to Embodiment 3 has a similarconfiguration to the image forming apparatuses 110 and 120 according toEmbodiments 1 and 2, and therefore reference numerals assigned to theunits and components common to the image forming apparatuses 110 and 120according to Embodiments 1 and 2 are employed to explain theconfiguration of the image forming apparatus 130. However, there is anexception: the image forming apparatus 130 according to Embodiment 3further includes a lift-up handle 97 on the right side 11 and a lift-uphandle 98 on the left side 12, respectively. The right side 11 and theleft side 12 are disposed adjacent to the distal side 13 having thedistal lift-up handle 95 and the proximal side 14 on which the openspace 49 is formed from which the sheet container 47 is inserted orremoved. Alternatively, either one of the lift-up handles 97 and 98 canbe provided to a corresponding one of the right and left sides 11 and12.

The lift-up handles 97 and 98 are formed by cutouts at the lower edgesof the right side 11 and the left side 12, respectively, to opensufficient space for inserting the user's fingers thereinto.Alternatively, the lift-up handles 97 and 98 can be recessed portionsprovided to the right side 11 and the left side 12.

With the configuration of the image forming apparatus 130 according toEmbodiment 3, even if the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 130is installed close to the wall of a room and the user cannot reacheither one of the lift-up handles 97 and 98, the user can put thefingers on the other one of the lift-up handles 97 and 98, and thereforemoving or carrying the image forming apparatus 130 easily.

Embodiment 4

Next, a description is given of a configuration of an image formingapparatus 140 according to Embodiment 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus140 according to Embodiment 4, viewed from the sheet container 47 side.FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus140, viewed from an opposite angle of FIG. 9.

The image forming apparatus 140 according to Embodiment 4 has a similarconfiguration to the image forming apparatuses 110, 120, and 130according to Embodiments 1, 2, and 3, and therefore reference numeralsassigned to the units and components common to the image formingapparatuses 110, 120, and 130 according to Embodiments 1, 2, and 3 areemployed to explain the configuration of the image forming apparatus140. However, the image forming apparatus 140 according to Embodiment 4can receive the sheet container 47 from two directions of the main body1 of the image forming apparatus 140, which are from the proximal side14 and from the right side 11.

It is to be noted that FIG. 9 illustrates the sheet container 47 on boththe right side 11 and the proximal side 14. However, the sheet container47 can be arranged on either one of the right side 11 and the proximalside 14.

Further, the pull-out direction, indicated by arrow “A1” in FIG. 9, inwhich the sheet container 47 is pulled out from the proximal side 14 ofthe image forming apparatus 140, corresponds to a sheet conveyancedirection in the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 140, and thepull-out direction, indicated by arrow “B1” in FIG. 9, in which thesheet container 47 is pulled out of the right side 11 of the imageforming apparatus 140 corresponds to a direction perpendicular to thesheet conveyance direction in the main body 1 of the image formingapparatus 140. Alternative to this configuration, however, it is alsoapplicable that the pull-out direction in which the sheet container ispulled out from the proximal side of the image forming apparatuscorresponds to a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyancedirection in the main body of the image forming apparatus and thepull-out direction in which the sheet container is pulled out of adifferent side adjacent to the proximal side corresponds to the sheetconveyance direction.

Further, the sheet container 47 includes the pull-out handle 91, whichis same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus 110according to Embodiment 1.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 140 includes a lift-up handle141 on the proximal side 14, a lift-up handle 142 on the right side 11,a lift-up handle 143 on the left side 12, and a lift-up handle 144 onthe distal side 13. With the configuration of the image formingapparatus 140 according to Embodiment 4, the sheet container 47 isremovably installable in the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus140 in two directions perpendicular to each other (in directionsindicated by arrows A1 and A2, and B1 and B2 in FIG. 9).

Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus 140 according to Embodiment4, if the sheet container 47 is set on either of the right side 11 andthe proximal side 14, the user can insert the fingers from the openspace 49 of the front cover 48 to put the fingers on the lift-up handle141 or the lift-up handle 142. With this configuration, the imageforming apparatus 140 can be lifted up easily and safely withoutstressing the sheet container 47. Further, this configuration enables anopening (i.e., the open space 49) to be shared when the user inserts thefingers thereinto for pulling out or pushing in the sheet tray 47 orlifting up the image forming apparatus 140, thereby enhancing areduction in space of the image forming apparatus 140.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit thepresent invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example,elements at least one of features of different illustrative andexemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other at leastone of substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosureand appended claims. Further, features of components of the embodiments,such as the number, the position, and the shape are not limited theembodiments and thus may be preferably set. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosureof the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image,the image forming apparatus comprising: a main body including an imageforming device to form the image on a sheet; and a sheet containerdisposed removably installable in the main body, configured toaccommodate a stack of sheets of recording media and feed an uppermostsheet of the stack of sheets of recording media toward the image formingdevice, and movable between a first state, in which the sheet containeris installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and asecond state, in which the sheet container is removed from a first sidesurface of the image forming apparatus, the sheet container comprising aplanar member at a proximal end thereof in a pull-out direction,disposed flush with the first side surface of the image formingapparatus with the sheet container installed in the main body of theimage forming apparatus, wherein the planar member includes a cutoutopening downwardly extending from an upper end of the planar member, alower edge of the opening forming a pull-out handle on the first sidesurface to assist in removal of the sheet container from the main bodyof the image forming apparatus, an upper edge of the opening forming alift-up handle to assist in lifting the image forming apparatus with thesheet container installed in the main body of the image formingapparatus.
 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: four side surfaces including the first side surface; and asecond lift-up handle provided to one of the four side surfaces, the onesurface disposed opposite the first side surface.
 3. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: four side surfacesincluding the first side surface; and a second lift-up handle providedto one of the four side surfaces adjacent to the first side surface. 4.The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lift-uphandle formed on the first side surface is located at the same positionas the opening formed in the planar member.
 5. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the openingforming the lift-up handle surface is inwardly recessed toward aninterior of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
 6. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge of theopening forming the lift-up handle formed on the first side surfacecomprises a scalloped portion.
 7. The image forming apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the lift-up handle formed on the first side surfaceand the second lift-up handle formed on the one of the side surfacesother than the first side surface are disposed at the same height from abottom of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
 8. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening in theplanar member has a height greater than a distance from a lower end ofthe sheet container to the bottom of the main body of the image formingapparatus.
 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe lower edge of the opening forming the pull-out handle of the sheetcontainer is graspable from above the lower edge.
 10. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet container is removablefrom the main body of the image forming apparatus both in the pull-outdirection and in a second direction perpendicular to the pull-outdirection.